CarVerify

Yamaha Xmax Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Yamaha Xmax car check

Is the Yamaha Xmax reliable? We analysed 1,123 real MOT tests across 112 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,123 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.9%
Typical Mileage
13,672mi
Annual Mileage
1,622mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Yamaha Xmax is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Yamaha Xmax.

Yamaha Xmax Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Yamaha Xmax. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Yamaha Xmax MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Yamaha Xmax to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.7%
2012
77.9%
2011
79.7%
2010
88.1%
2009
78.9%
2008
81.3%
2007
89.3%
2006

Yamaha Xmax Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Yamaha Xmax fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 29
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 20
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 17
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the weight on the lower bearing 9
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 9
Headlamp aim too high 5
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 5
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 5

Yamaha Xmax Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Yamaha Xmax models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 27
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 10

Yamaha Xmax Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Yamaha Xmax owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
606 mi/yr
Typical
1,622 mi/yr
Average
2,266 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,996 mi/yr

Yamaha Xmax MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Yamaha Xmax year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 73 76.7% 9,741 22,170 36,082
2011 154 77.9% 13,134 16,752 26,855
2010 182 79.7% 9,101 13,407 21,644
2009 210 88.1% 6,481 11,961 18,137
2008 265 78.9% 6,894 12,790 19,202
2007 112 81.3% 4,276 14,134 20,166
2006 121 89.3% 7,842 12,298 15,633

How Long Does a Yamaha Xmax Last?

Based on 112 Yamaha Xmax vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.2 years
Median
11.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Yamaha Xmax Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Yamaha Xmax MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
13,672 mi
75th Percentile
20,478 mi
95th Percentile
32,500 mi
Max Recorded
66,771 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Yamaha Xmax

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2006

89.3% MOT pass rate from 121 tests

Year to avoid
2012

76.7% MOT pass rate from 73 tests

The best year to buy a used Yamaha Xmax is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.3% across 121 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Yamaha Xmax Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Yamaha Xmax THIS CAR 81.9% 1,123 13,672 mi 20 yrs
Yamaha Yzf R1 86.5% 175,313 16,232 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha FZS600 85% 157,659 22,466 mi 28 yrs
Yamaha XJR1300 88.8% 107,128 16,836 mi 27 yrs
Peugeot Boxer 335 Pro L3H2 Blue HDI 81.9% 581 78,020 mi — yrs

Compared to the Yamaha Yzf R1 (86.5% pass rate) and the Yamaha FZS600 (85.0% pass rate), the Yamaha Xmax trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Yamaha Xmax?

The Yamaha Xmax has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.9% across 1,123 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Yamaha Xmax are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (29 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (20), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (17). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Yamaha Xmax with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Yamaha Xmax owner drives around 1,622 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Yamaha Xmax models stay on UK roads for around 20 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Yamaha Xmax — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Yamaha Xmax reliable?
Based on 1,123 MOT tests, the Yamaha Xmax has a 81.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Yamaha Xmax?
The most common MOT failures are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Yamaha Xmax do per year?
The typical Yamaha Xmax does around 1,622 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Yamaha Xmax last?
Most Yamaha Xmax models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 112 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Yamaha Xmax?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Yamaha Xmax?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Yamaha Xmax is 2006 with a 89.3% pass rate across 121 tests.